Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
Outgoing Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, Frederick Whyte (left), hands over to his successor, Laurie Williams, at a ceremony held at the Jamaica Defence Force headquarters at Up Park Camp, Kingston, yesterday.

Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter

The Jamaica Fire Brigade is to get a new training centre to be built at Twickenham Park in Spanish Town, announced outgoing Commissioner Frederick Whyte, yesterday.

Speaking at the handover ceremony to new Commissioner, Laurie Williams, held at the Jamaica Defence Force headquarters at Up Park Camp in St. Andrew, Whyte said that the tendering process for the new facility had begun.

Whyte, who held the post of commissioner for the past two years of his 40-year service to the brigade, said he was proud to give way to the brigade's fourth commissioner, himself, a 30-year veteran. The change of leadership was marked by the ceremonial passing of a firefighter's helmet.

Pursue main aims

"Being a firefighter is a dangerous and dirty job, but I chose to do it and I hardly ever regretted my choice," said Whyte. He challenged his successor to pursue four main aims: The proper equipping of the brigade; improving management skills; raising efficiency; and, establishing the training facility.

The new commissioner, who said he was following the "superb lead" of his predecessor, intends to prioritise training of the brigade.

"Together, we will continue our mandate - saving lives and protecting property," he said.

Earlier, dignitaries had watched 150 men and women of the brigade march in neat precision for a half hour, black-uniformed and in the mid-afternoon sun. On show behind them were five of the brigade's newest, of 77, firefighting and rescue vehicles based at its 33 stations across the island.

ross.sheil@gleanerjm.com